Dr Andrew Bellini, Gastroenterologist presenting on Colorectal Cancer Screening - What You Need to Know and why screening is important.
Dittie Voegele introduced Dr. Andrew Bellini, a Gastroenterologist at Brampton Civic Hospital , originally from Timmins North Ont., to talk on Colon Cancer Screening.
Colon cancer is very common and is a top killer in Canada with it affecting Men and Woman. Colon cancer is the 2nd top killer in men and 3rd in woman. The two most common ways to get tested are by stool sample kits sent by the government or colonoscopies arranged thought your doctor.
The F.D.A approved general screening and the funding to do so in 2000 and the result was a reduction of 13% less deaths.
Ontario was the first province to adopt screening, with the other provinces following shortly thereafter. A new and better test is 6 months away from being released.
Called FIT it is a more reliable and accurate test and is easier for patients to use. The old test is 47% accurate where as the new test will be 82% accurate. There is a 1 in 18 chance you can get a positive test but that does not mean you have cancer. Tests can produce a false positive so if you get a positive test go see your doctor as soon as you can.
This new test will be distributed through the Canada Post. The process will go like this, you see your doctor, then your Doctor will send the request to Canada Post. Canada Post will send the test to you and you do the test and then mail it directly to the Lab. It takes years to develop a polyp to a cancer polyp and not all polyps turn into cancer, if the polyp is over a centimeter it's more likely to develop so they play it safe and remove them all.
The main message is to get tested and don't delay go talk to your doctor to stay healthy.
After the presentation questions where fielded and Dr. Andrew Bellini. He was thanked by Deboraha Robinson.